Developer container, image forming apparatus, method for reusing developer container

Abstract

To provide a developer storage container that can reduce the time and effort to clean the inside of the container, an image forming apparatus, and a method for reusing a developer storage container.SOLUTION: A toner storage container 200 provided in an image forming apparatus comprises: a container body 201 having a storage part 211 that stores toner and a discharge port part 212 that is used to discharge the toner stored in the storage part 211 to the outside; and a coating part 204 that covers a surface of the storage part 211 forming a toner storage space, and is provided to be withdrawable from the discharge port part 212 to the outside of the container body 201.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer storage container, an image forming apparatus, and a method for reusing a developer storage container.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developer such as toner is known. In this type of image forming apparatus, a developer storage container that stores the developer to be supplied to an image forming unit that forms an image is detachably provided.

[0003] After use, that is, after the developer stored inside becomes empty, the developer storage container may be reused. When the used developer storage container is reused, the inside of the container is cleaned to remove the developer remaining inside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the remaining developer may be fixed inside the used developer storage container. In this case, it takes time to clean the developer storage container.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a developer storage container, an image forming apparatus, and a method for reusing a developer storage container that can reduce the labor of cleaning the inside of the container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A developer container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a container body and a covering portion. The container body has a storage portion for storing the developer and an outlet portion used for discharging the developer stored in the storage portion to the outside. The covering portion covers the surface forming the developer storage space in the storage portion and is provided so as to be pullable out from the outlet portion to the outside of the container body.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a developer container and an image forming unit. The image forming unit forms an image using the developer supplied from the developer container.

[0009] A method for reusing a developer container according to another aspect of the present invention includes a replacement step and a filling step. In the replacement step, the covering portion of the developer container is replaced. In the filling step, the container portion of the developer container, after the covering portion has been replaced, is filled with the developer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required to clean the inside of the container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the toner supply unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the configuration of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the configuration of the container body of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the drive unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the configuration of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the configuration of a toner storage container according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] [Configuration of the image forming apparatus 100] First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0014] In the following explanation, the vertical direction D1 is defined based on the state in which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed. The front-to-back direction D2 is defined with the side into which the toner container 200 is inserted as the front side. The left-to-right direction D3 is defined when viewing the image forming apparatus 100 from the front side.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 100 is a device equipped with at least a printing function. The image forming apparatus 100 prints an image onto printing paper, which is a sheet material, using a developer containing toner (an example of the developer of the present invention). For example, the image forming apparatus 100 is a color printer. However, the image forming apparatus 100 may also be a monochrome printer, a fax machine, a copier, or a multifunction device.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called tandem type color image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of image forming units 1 to 4, an optical scanning device 5, an intermediate transfer unit 6, a secondary transfer device 7, a fixing device 8, a control unit 9, an operation display unit 10, a paper feed tray 11, a paper discharge tray 12, and a toner supply unit 13. These components are attached to a housing 14 that constitutes an external frame (not shown) or an internal frame of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0017] The image forming units 1 to 4 form toner images of different colors on each of a plurality of parallel photoreceptor drums 21 by a so-called electrophotographic method. The toner images are transferred so as to be sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 6A during travel (during movement). As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming units 1 to 4 are arranged in a row in that order, with the black image forming unit 1, the yellow image forming unit 2, the cyan image forming unit 3, and the magenta image forming unit 4 in that order from the downstream side in the moving direction D4 of the intermediate transfer belt 6A.

[0018] Each of the image forming units 1 to 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt 6A. Each of the image forming units 1 to 4 includes a photoreceptor drum 21 that carries a toner image, a charging device 22, a developing device 23, a primary transfer device 24, and the like. The surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 is charged by the charging device 22, and the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 is exposed and scanned by the optical scanning device 5. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 21. The developing device 23 develops the electrostatic latent image using toner. Then, the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 21 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 6A by the primary transfer device 24.

[0019] The intermediate transfer unit 6 includes an intermediate transfer belt 6A, a driving roller 6B, a driven roller 6C, and a belt cleaning device 6D. The intermediate transfer belt 6A carries a toner image composed of toner images of a plurality of colors (four colors in this embodiment). The intermediate transfer belt 6A is rotatably supported by the driving roller 6B and the driven roller 6C, so that its surface can move while contacting the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 21. When the intermediate transfer belt 6A is rotationally driven, its surface passes between the photosensitive drum 21 and the primary transfer device 24. At this time, the toner images of respective colors carried on the plurality of photosensitive drums 21 are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6A so as to be superimposed.

[0020] Above the intermediate transfer unit 6, a toner supply unit 13 is provided. The toner supply unit 13 supplies the corresponding color toner to each of the image forming units 1 to 4. Each of the image forming units 1 to 4 forms an image using the toner supplied from the toner supply unit 13.

[0021] The secondary transfer device 7 transfers the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6A onto the printing paper conveyed from the paper feed tray 11. The printing paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 8 by a conveying unit (not shown). The fixing device 8 includes a heating roller 8A and a pressure roller 8B. The fixing device 8 conveys the printing paper onto which the toner image has been transferred while applying heat and pressure thereto. Thereby, the toner image melts and is fixed onto the printing paper. The printing paper onto which the toner image has been fixed is further conveyed downstream and discharged and held in a tray-shaped paper discharge tray 12 disposed above the intermediate transfer unit 6.

[0022] The belt cleaning device 6D removes and collects the waste toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6A, and discharges the collected waste toner into a waste toner container 6E.

[0023] The control unit 9 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 9 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile memory device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory device used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various operations performed by the CPU. The CPU comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100 by executing various control programs pre-stored in the ROM.

[0024] The operation display unit 10 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 9, and an operation unit such as operation keys or a touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit 9 in response to user operations.

[0025] [Configuration of the toner supply unit 13] Next, the toner supply unit 13 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the toner supply unit 13. Figure 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the toner storage container 200. Figure 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the container body 201. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the drive unit 32.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the toner supply unit 13 includes toner containers 200 (an example of a developer container in the present invention) corresponding to black, yellow, cyan, and magenta, and mounting units 30 into which each of the toner containers 200 is mounted.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the toner supply unit 13 includes an opening 31 and a drive unit 32.

[0028] The toner container 200 contains the toner supplied to the developing device 23. In this embodiment, four toner containers 200 corresponding to black, yellow, cyan, and magenta are provided in the toner supply unit 13. In Figure 2, only the toner container 200 for yellow is shown, and the toner containers 200 for the other colors are not shown. The toner containers 200 for each color have a common configuration, except that the toner container 200 for black has a larger outer diameter than the toner containers 200 for the other colors. Unless otherwise specified, the toner container 200 for yellow shown in Figure 2 and the configuration corresponding to that toner container 200 will be described below.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the toner container 200 comprises a container body 201 and a cap portion 202.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the container body 201 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotated in a rotational direction D5 (see Figure 2) along the circumferential direction, thereby transporting the toner contained inside in a transport direction D6 (see Figures 2 to 4) along the rotation axis 203 (see Figures 3 and 4). The rotation axis 203 is the axis passing through the center of the container body 201. The transport direction D6 is the direction from the front to the rear of the image forming apparatus 100. The container body 201 is integrally formed from a synthetic resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the container body 201 comprises a storage section 211, an outlet section 212, and a gear section 213.

[0032] The storage section 211 stores the toner for replenishment. The storage section 211 is formed in a cylindrical shape concentric with the rotation axis 203 (see Figure 4) of the toner storage container 200 and is elongated along the transport direction D6. The storage section 211 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with its bottom on the upstream side in the transport direction D6. In the downstream portion of the storage section 211, the shape tapers towards the downstream side in the transport direction D6.

[0033] The inner circumference of the storage section 211 is provided with a spiral projection 211A (see Figure 4) formed along the rotation axis 203. The projection 211A protrudes from the inner surface of the storage section 211 toward the rotation axis 203. Figure 4 shows a spiral recess formed on the outer circumference of the storage section 211 corresponding to the projection 211A. By forming the spiral projection 211A inside the storage section 211, it is possible to transport the toner stored inside in the transport direction D6 (see Figure 4) along the rotation axis 203 by rotating in the rotation direction D5 (see Figure 2) around the rotation axis 203 (an example of the axis of the present invention).

[0034] The discharge port 212 is used to discharge the toner contained in the storage section 211 to the outside of the container body 201. The discharge port 212 is provided at the downstream end of the container body 201 in the transport direction D6. The discharge port 212 is formed to protrude cylindrically from the downstream end of the storage section 211 in the transport direction D6 toward the downstream side of the transport direction D6, concentric with the rotation axis 203. The discharge port 212 opens toward the transport direction D6. The toner inside the container body 201 is discharged from the discharge port 212 toward the transport direction D6. The transport direction D6 is an example of the opening direction of the present invention.

[0035] The gear section 213 is provided on the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed discharge port section 212. The gear section 213 receives rotational driving force supplied from the drive unit 32. The container body 201 is formed integrally with all components, including the gear section 213. Therefore, when the gear section 213 receives rotational driving force supplied from the drive unit 32, the container body 201 rotates around the rotation axis 203.

[0036] The cap portion 202 is attached to the rear end of the container body 201, i.e., the outlet portion 212 (see Figure 3). The cap portion 202 is sized to cover a portion of the cylindrical outlet portion 212 and is formed in a cylindrical shape with one side open. The cap portion 202 rotatably supports the cylindrical outlet portion 212.

[0037] The cap portion 202 is located downstream of the discharge port portion 212 in the transport direction D6, and guides the toner discharged from the discharge port portion 212 downward. Inside the cap portion 202, a guide space is formed to guide the toner discharged from the discharge port portion 212 downward. At the bottom of the inner circumference of the cap portion 202, an discharge port is formed through which the toner is discharged to the outside of the cap portion 202.

[0038] The toner container 200 is mounted in the mounting section 30 (see Figure 1). The mounting section 30 is provided in accordance with each toner container 200. The mounting section 30 forms a housing space for the toner container 200 that extends in the front-rear direction D2 inside the housing 14. The toner container 200 is mounted in the mounting section 30 with its rotation axis 203 aligned with the horizontal plane.

[0039] The opening 31 is provided on the side of the housing 14 of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the opening 31 is provided on the front (front) of the housing 14. A long frame member 14A (see Figure 2) is provided on the front of the housing 14 in the left-right direction D3. The opening 31 is formed in the frame member 14A. The opening 31 is provided corresponding to each of the mounting parts 30. The opening 31 is located at the front end of the mounting part 30 and is connected to the mounting part 30. The toner container 200 is inserted into the opening 31.

[0040] The drive unit 32 rotates the container body 201 of the toner container 200. The drive unit 32 is provided corresponding to each mounting section 30. The drive unit 32 is provided at the rear end of the mounting section 30 (see Figure 2).

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the drive unit 32 comprises a motor 41, a first gear 42, a second gear 43, a shaft 44, and a third gear 45. The first gear 42 is fixed to the drive shaft of the motor 41. The second gear 43 is fixed to one end of the shaft 44 and meshes with the first gear 42. The shaft 44 is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) inside the housing 14. The third gear 45 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 44 and meshes with the gear portion 213 of the container body 201.

[0042] In the drive unit 32, the rotational driving force generated by the motor 41 is transmitted to the gear unit 213 via the first gear 42, the second gear 43, the shaft 44, and the third gear 45. As a result, the container body 201 rotates around the rotation axis 203.

[0043] Incidentally, the toner container 200 is reused after use, that is, after the toner contained inside is emptied and removed from the mounting unit 30. When the toner container 200 is reused after use, the inside of the container is cleaned to remove any remaining toner inside the container.

[0044] In this case, residual toner may have solidified inside the toner container 200 after use. In this case, cleaning the toner container 200 becomes time-consuming.

[0045] In contrast, the toner storage container 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to reduce the effort required for cleaning the inside of the container, as will be explained below.

[0046] [Configuration of toner container 200] The toner container 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 6. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the toner container 200. In Figure 6, the cap portion 202 is not shown. Also, in Figure 6, the first coating portion 204 is shown by a thick solid line.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6, the toner container 200 includes a first coating portion 204, a sealing portion 205, and a closure portion 206.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the container body 201 is equipped with a ventilation hole 214.

[0049] The first covering portion 204 covers the surface forming the toner storage space in the storage portion 211. The first covering portion 204 is provided so as to be pullable out from the discharge port 212 to the outside of the container body 201. The first covering portion 204 is an example of a covering portion of the present invention.

[0050] The first covering portion 204 covers the entire surface. Specifically, the first covering portion 204 is formed in a bag shape that extends along the transport direction D6, straddling the discharge port portion 212. The bottom of the bag-shaped first covering portion 204 is positioned opposite the upstream end of the storage portion 211 in the transport direction D6. The opening of the bag-shaped first covering portion 204 is folded back on the outside of the discharge port portion 212 toward the upstream side in the transport direction D6, and is positioned on the outer circumference of the cylindrical discharge port portion 212.

[0051] By covering the entire formed surface with the first covering portion 204, it is possible to remove the toner remaining inside the toner container 200 after use, that is, to clean the toner container 200 after use, simply by pulling the first covering portion 204 out from the discharge port 212. The first covering portion 204 may cover only a part of the formed surface.

[0052] For example, the first covering portion 204 is formed from a resin film having a predetermined thickness. For example, the first covering portion 204 is a seamless film made of PE (polyethylene) or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having a thickness of 0.10 mm (millimeters) or less.

[0053] The sealing portion 205 seals the space between the discharge port portion 212 and the first covering portion 204.

[0054] Specifically, the sealing portion 205 seals the space between the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed discharge port portion 212 and the first covering portion 204. As shown in Figure 4, the sealing portion 205 is formed in a ring shape along the outer circumference of the discharge port portion 212.

[0055] For example, the sealing portion 205 is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber. The sealing portion 205 may also be an adhesive tape that secures the opening of the bag-shaped first covering portion 204 to the outer circumference of the discharge port portion 212. Alternatively, the sealing portion 205 may be composed of a groove formed along the rotational direction D5 (see Figure 2) on the outer circumference of the discharge port portion 212, an elastic member provided at the bottom of the groove, and a rigid ring-shaped member that presses the first covering portion 204 between itself and the elastic member.

[0056] The sealing portion 205 may also be formed by sealing the space between the inner circumference or edge of the cylindrically formed discharge port portion 212 and the first covering portion 204.

[0057] The ventilation holes 214 are provided on the formed surface and are used to allow air to move to the outside of the container body 201. The ventilation holes 214 form through holes that extend in a direction perpendicular to or intersecting with the formed surface.

[0058] Specifically, the vents 214 are used to draw in air from outside the container body 201. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the vents 214 are provided at both the upstream end in the transport direction D6 and the outer circumference along the rotation direction D5 (see Figure 2) of the storage section 211. The vents 214 may also be provided at either the upstream end in the transport direction D6 or the outer circumference along the rotation direction D5 of the storage section 211. Furthermore, there may be one or more vents 214.

[0059] The ventilation holes 214 may also be used for exhausting air from the container body 201 to the outside.

[0060] The occluding portion 206 closes the ventilation hole portion 214.

[0061] Specifically, the closure portion 206 closes the ventilation hole portion 214 on the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed housing portion 211. For example, the closure portion 206 is a sealing member attached to the outer circumference of the housing portion 211. The closure portion 206 may also be a backflow prevention valve that allows air to move out of the housing portion 211 through the ventilation hole portion 214 and prevents air from moving inward.

[0062] Next, the manufacturing method of the toner container 200 will be described with reference to Figure 6.

[0063] First, the bag-shaped first covering portion 204 is inserted into the empty container body 201 so that its bottom faces the upstream end of the storage portion 211 in the transport direction D6. Next, the opening of the bag-shaped first covering portion 204 is folded back on the outside of the discharge portion 212 toward the upstream side in the transport direction D6 so that the opening of the bag-shaped first covering portion 204 is positioned on the outer circumference of the cylindrical discharge portion 212.

[0064] Next, the sealing portion 205 is attached to the outer circumference of the discharge port portion 212 to seal the space between the outer circumference and the first covering portion 204.

[0065] Next, an air intake device is connected to the ventilation hole 214, and the air between the formed surface of the storage section 211 and the first covering section 204 is drawn out using the air intake device. As a result, the formed surface of the storage section 211 and the first covering section 204 are brought into close contact. Therefore, compared to the case where air is present between the formed surface of the storage section 211 and the first covering section 204, it is possible to suppress the reduction in toner storage capacity and the reduction in toner transport function due to the protrusion 211A caused by providing the first covering section 204 inside the container body 201.

[0066] Furthermore, if the thickness of the first covering portion 204 exceeds 0.10 mm (millimeters), there is a risk that the forming surface of the housing portion 211 and the first covering portion 204 will not be in close contact. For this reason, it is desirable that the thickness of the first covering portion 204 be 0.10 mm (millimeters) or less.

[0067] Next, the sealing member, the closing portion 206, is attached to the outer circumference of the housing portion 211 to close the ventilation hole portion 214. This seals the space between the formed surface of the housing portion 211 and the first covering portion 204. As a result, the tight seal between the formed surface of the housing portion 211 and the first covering portion 204 is maintained.

[0068] Next, the container body 201 is filled with toner.

[0069] Then, the cap portion 202 (see Figure 3) is attached to the outlet portion 212 of the container body 201. This completes the toner storage container 200.

[0070] Next, with reference to Figure 6, we will explain how to clean the toner container 200 after use.

[0071] First, remove the cap portion 202 (see Figure 3) from the outlet portion 212 of the container body 201.

[0072] Next, the sealing portion 206 attached to the outer periphery of the housing portion 211 is peeled off from the outer periphery to open the ventilation hole portion 214. This eliminates the tight seal between the formed surface of the housing portion 211 and the first covering portion 204. Alternatively, instead of peeling the sealing portion 206 off the outer periphery of the housing portion 211, the sealing portion 205 may be removed from the outer periphery of the outlet portion 212.

[0073] Next, the sealing part 205 attached to the outer periphery of the discharge port 212 is removed from the outer periphery, and the opening of the bag-shaped first covering part 204 is stretched downstream in the transport direction D6. As a result, the opening of the bag-shaped first covering part 204 is positioned downstream of the discharge port 212 in the transport direction D6, making it easier to pull out the first covering part 204 from the container body 201.

[0074] Then, the first coating portion 204 is pulled out to the outside of the container body 201. As a result, the toner remaining inside the toner container 200 after use is pulled out to the outside of the container body 201 along with the first coating portion 204, and the cleaning of the toner container 200 after use is completed. Therefore, the toner container 200 can be reused.

[0075] Here, after use, the toner container 200 may have deteriorated over time, resulting in a decrease in the surface quality of the formed surface of the storage section 211. In other words, the surface of the formed surface may have become rough. Therefore, if toner is filled into the toner container 200 after cleaning without covering the inner surface of the toner container 200 with the first coating section 204, the toner transport function by the protrusions 211A may be reduced.

[0076] Therefore, it is desirable to cover the inner surface of the toner container 200 with the first coating portion 204 after cleaning, and then fill the toner container 200 with toner. In other words, it is desirable to perform a replacement step to replace the first coating portion 204 of the used toner container 200, and then perform a filling step to fill the container portion 211 of the toner container 200 with toner after the first coating portion 204 has been replaced. By performing the filling step after the replacement step, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the toner transport function caused by the protrusions 211A due to the deterioration of the surface quality of the formed surface. In addition, the toner container 200 can be reused multiple times.

[0077] Here, the replacement step includes a cleaning step of cleaning the used toner container 200 and a coating step of covering the inner surface of the cleaned toner container 200 with the first coating portion 204. The cleaning step includes each step of the cleaning method for the used toner container 200 described above. The coating step includes each step of the manufacturing method for the toner container 200 described above up to immediately before toner filling. The method for reusing the toner container 200, including the replacement step and the filling step, is an example of the method for reusing the developer container of the present invention.

[0078] Thus, the toner container 200 includes a first covering portion 204 that covers the formed surface of the toner storage space in the storage section 211 and can be pulled out from the outlet 212 to the outside of the container body 201. As a result, by simply pulling out the first covering portion 204 from the outlet 212 to the outside of the container body 201, it is possible to remove some or all of the toner remaining inside the toner container 200 after use. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the effort required to clean the inside of the container.

[0079] Furthermore, in the toner storage container 200, the storage section 211 is elongated in the transport direction D6, which is the opening direction of the discharge section 212, and the first covering section 204 is formed in a bag shape that extends along the transport direction D6, straddling the discharge section 212. This makes it possible to cover the entire surface using a simple-shaped component.

[0080] [Other embodiments] Hereinafter, a toner container 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the toner container 300.

[0081] The toner container 300 (another example of the developer container of the present invention) differs from the toner container 200 (see Figure 6) in that it has a container opening 311 and a lid 301 as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the toner container 300 differs from the toner container 200 in that it has a second coating portion 302 (see Figure 7) instead of a first coating portion 204 (see Figure 6). Other aspects are common to both the toner container 300 and the toner container 200. Below, only the configuration of the toner container 300 that differs from that of the toner container 200 will be described.

[0082] The container opening 311 opens from the upstream end of the storage section 211 in the transport direction D6 toward the upstream side of the transport direction D6. The container opening 311 is provided in the container body 201. The container opening 311 is an example of an opening in the present invention.

[0083] For example, the container opening 311 is the upstream end in the transport direction D6 of the bottomless cylindrical storage section 211. It can also be said that the container opening 311 is formed by projecting cylindrically concentrically with the rotation axis 203 upstream from the upstream end in the transport direction D6 of the storage section 211. The size of the opening of the container opening 311 is the same as the inner circumference of the storage section 211. However, the size of the opening of the container opening 311 may be smaller than the inner circumference of the storage section 211.

[0084] The second covering portion 302 covers the formed surface of the housing portion 211. The second covering portion 302 is provided so as to be pullable out from the outlet portion 212 to the outside of the container body 201. The second covering portion 302 is another example of the covering portion of the present invention.

[0085] The second covering portion 302 covers the entire formed surface. Specifically, the second covering portion 302 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends along the transport direction D6, straddling the discharge port portion 212 and the container opening 311. The upstream end of the cylindrical second covering portion 302 in the transport direction D6 is folded back to the downstream side of the transport direction D6 outside the container opening 311 and positioned on the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed container opening 311. The downstream end of the cylindrical second covering portion 302 in the transport direction D6 is also folded back to the upstream side of the transport direction D6 outside the discharge port portion 212 and positioned on the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed discharge port portion 212.

[0086] For example, the second covering portion 302 is formed from a resin film having a predetermined thickness, similar to the first covering portion 204.

[0087] The lid portion 301 closes the container opening 311 and seals the space between the container opening 311 and the second covering portion 302.

[0088] For example, the lid portion 301 is a disc-shaped member that can be inserted into the container opening 311 (see Figure 7). In this case, the lid portion 301 seals the space between the inner circumference of the cylindrically formed container opening 311 and the second covering portion 302. The lid portion 301 may also have a recess into which the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed container opening 311 can be inserted. In this case, the lid portion 301 only needs to seal the space between the edge or outer circumference of the cylindrically formed container opening 311 and the second covering portion 302. The lid portion 301 may also have a groove into which the edge of the cylindrically formed container opening 311 can be inserted.

[0089] Next, the manufacturing method of the toner container 300 will be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0090] First, the cylindrical second covering portion 302 is inserted into the empty container body 201 so that it extends along the transport direction D6, straddling the discharge port portion 212 and the container opening 311. Next, the upstream end of the cylindrical second covering portion 302 in the transport direction D6 is folded back to the downstream side in the transport direction D6 outside the container opening 311 so that it is positioned on the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed container opening 311. Furthermore, the downstream end of the cylindrical second covering portion 302 in the transport direction D6 is folded back to the upstream side in the transport direction D6 outside the discharge port portion 212 so that it is positioned on the outer circumference of the cylindrically formed discharge port portion 212.

[0091] Next, the lid portion 301 is attached to the container opening 311 to seal the space between the container opening 311 and the second covering portion 302. In addition, the sealing portion 205 is attached to the outer circumference of the outlet portion 212 to seal the space between the outer circumference and the second covering portion 302.

[0092] Next, the intake device is connected to the ventilation hole 214, and the intake device is used to draw air between the formed surface of the housing 211 and the second covering portion 302. This causes the formed surface of the housing 211 and the second covering portion 302 to be in close contact.

[0093] Next, the sealing member, the closing portion 206, is attached to the outer circumference of the housing portion 211 to close the ventilation hole portion 214. This seals the space between the formed surface of the housing portion 211 and the second covering portion 302.

[0094] Next, the container body 201 is filled with toner.

[0095] Then, the cap portion 202 (see Figure 3) is attached to the outlet portion 212 of the container body 201. This completes the toner storage container 300.

[0096] Thus, in the toner storage container 300, the storage section 211 is elongated in the transport direction D6, which is the opening direction of the discharge port 212, and the container body 201 has a container opening 311 that opens from the upstream end of the storage section 211 toward the upstream side of the transport direction D6, and the second covering section 302 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends along the transport direction D6, straddling the discharge port 212 and the container opening 311. This makes it possible to cover the entire surface using a member with an even simpler shape than the toner storage container 200.

[0097] Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a toner container that includes a transport member used for transporting toner inside.

[0098] Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a waste toner container 6E. In other words, the developer container of the present invention may be a waste toner container 6E.

[0099] Furthermore, the developer of the present invention is not limited to toner. For example, the developer of the present invention may be ink. In other words, the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms images using an inkjet method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1-4 Image forming section 5. Optical scanning device 6. Intermediate Transfer Unit 7. Secondary transfer device 8. Fixing device 9. Control Unit 10 Operation display section 11 Paper feed tray 12 Paper Output Trays 13. Toner supply unit 14 cabinets 21 Photoconductor drum 22 Charging device 23 Developing equipment 24 Primary Transfer Device 30 Mounting part 31 Opening 32 Drive unit 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Toner Storage Containers 201 Container body 202 Cap section 204 First covering section 205 Sealed part 206 Occlusion 211 Storage Unit 212 Discharge port 213 Gear section 214 Ventilation hole section 300 Toner Storage Containers 301 Lid 302 Second covering section 311 Container opening

Claims

1. A container body having a storage section for containing a developer, and an outlet section used for discharging the developer contained in the storage section to the outside, A covering portion is provided to cover the surface forming the developer storage space in the storage portion and to be retractable from the outlet portion to the outside of the container body, A developer container equipped with, The covering portion covers the entire surface, The storage section is elongated along the opening direction of the discharge section, The container body has an opening that opens from the upstream end in the opening direction of the storage section toward the upstream side in the opening direction, The covering portion is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends along the direction of the opening, straddling the discharge port portion and the opening. The developer container is a developer container having a lid that closes the opening and seals the space between the opening and the covering portion.

2. A sealing portion that seals the space between the discharge port and the covering portion, The forming surface is provided with a ventilation hole used for the movement of air to the outside of the container body, A closing portion that closes the aforementioned ventilation hole, A developer container according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The aforementioned storage section is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotated about an axis to transport the developer contained inside toward the opening. A developer container according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The covering portion is formed of a resin film. A developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, An image forming unit that forms an image using the developer supplied from the developer container, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

6. A replacement step of replacing the coating portion of the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A filling step of filling the container of the developer container with the developer after the coating has been replaced, A method for reusing developer containers.

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